NBA Odds: Friday, February 5, 2016 Opening Line Report and Handicapping

by Alan Matthews - 2/4/2016

I'm not sure if you still care about the Dunk Contest on All-Star Weekend considering no superstars compete any longer, but the field for the Feb. 12 event in Toronto has been released. And unfortunately it doesn't include Minnesota's Andrew Wiggins, who is one of the best dunkers in the NBA and from Toronto. He decided to pass, saying that he "retired" from dunk contests after losing the one in the McDonald's All-American game in high school. That contest was won by former University of Florida player Chris Walker, a former top recruit who never lived up to the billing and is now in the D-League. Competing this year are Minnesota's Zach LaVine, who was terrific in winning last year's event, Detroit's Andre Drummond, Orlando's Aaron Gordon and the least-known among the group, Denver's Will Barton. LaVine certainly will be favored.

Pacers at Hawks (-4, 204.5)

This is the first of an ESPN doubleheader and should have live betting at sportsbooks. Indiana won in Brooklyn 114-100 on Wednesday behind 27 points from C.J. Miles. Indiana's bench outscored Brooklyn's by 42 points. The Pacers were again without center Ian Mahinmi but he's very close and it could be here. Atlanta won a second straight Wednesday, trashing the 76ers 124-86 for the third time this season. All 13 players scored and eight finished in double figures for Atlanta. Indiana has lost 14 of its past 15 regular-season games in Atlanta and both last season were by double digits.

Key trends: Indiana is 5-2 against the spread in the past seven meetings. The "over/under" is 4-1 in the past five.

Early lean: Hawks and over.

Heat at Hornets (TBA)

Miami won in Dallas in the second of a back-to-back on Wednesday, 93-90. Dwyane Wade was just 1-for-11 for two points in the first half but had 16 after the break. Hassan Whiteside had 10 points, nine rebounds and five blocks after missing six games with a left hip injury. Charlotte won a second in a row Wednesday, upsetting visiting Cleveland 106-97. The Hornets did so without starting point guard Kemba Walker, who had a sore knee. But Nic Batum, Cody Zeller and Jeremy Lamb were all back in the lineup. These teams have split two meetings, each winning by double digits at home. Charlotte has won three straight at home vs. Miami.

Key trends: The Heat are 7-2 ATS in the past nine in Charlotte. The over is 9-4 in the past 13 meetings.

Early lean: Wait on Kemba.

Clippers at Magic (+4, 205.5)

Los Angeles was stunned at home by Minnesota 108-102 on Wednesday to end a four-game winning streak. The Clips had won 14 straight in the series. DeAndre Jordan had 18 points and 15 rebounds but did tweak his back at the end of the game. He probably will be fine but certainly monitor that, especially after a long flight. Orlando lost 117-114 in Oklahoma City on Wednesday on a Thunder 3-pointer with a half-second left. Victor Oladipo scored 37 points -- one off his career high -- to lead Orlando, which has lost 14 of its last 16 games. Orlando lost 103-101 in Los Angeles on Dec. 5. Jamal Crawford scored 16 of his game-high 32 points during the fourth quarter as the Clippers overcame a 12-point hole in that quarter. Blake Griffin had 28 points, 13 rebounds and seven assists but is of course out now.

Key trends: The Clippers are 3-0-1 ATS in the past four meetings. The under is 5-1 in the past six.

Early lean: Clippers (unless Jordan sits) and under.

76ers at Wizards (-11, 211.5)

Somehow the first meeting of the season between these teams. Philadelphia lost its third straight on Wednesday, 124-86 at home to Atlanta. It was the Sixers' second-worst loss of the year, and they have now dropped 12 games by at least 20. Washington was beaten at home by Golden State on Wednesday, 134-121. John Wall had a season-high 41 points in the loss. Coach Randy Wittman sat out a second straight game following his brother's death but should return here.

Key trends: The favorite is 4-1 ATS in the past five meetings. The under is 5-2 in the past seven in Washington.

Early lean: Philly (Wizards will be flat from track meet with Warriors) and under.

Kings at Nets (+4, 210.5)

Sacramento lost 107-102 at home to Chicago on Wednesday. DeMarcus Cousins was questionable but played and had 30 points and 11 rebounds. Rajon Rondo also was questionable and played. Brooklyn dropped a fifth straight on Wednesday, 114-100 at home to Indiana. Thaddeus Young posted his 22nd double-double for the Nets, which is a new single-season career-high for him. He likely will be traded. Sacramento beat visiting Brooklyn 111-109 on Nov. 13. Cousins had 40 points and 13 rebounds and Rondo a triple-double with 23 points, 14 assists and 10 rebounds. The Kings have lost six straight at the Nets, however.

Key trends: The Kings are 0-6 ATS in the past six in Brooklyn. The over is 6-1 in Brooklyn's past seven overall.

Early lean: Nets and over.

Celtics at Cavaliers (-7, 211)

Boston won a second in a row on Wednesday, 102-95 vs. Detroit. Isaiah Thomas had 17 points and seven assists. Jae Crowder sprained his ankle and it looked bad on the court but Crowder said it wasn't serious. Consider him questionable here, however. Cleveland's five-game winning streak ended with a nine-point loss in Charlotte on Wednesday. LeBron James personally had won 21 straight vs. the Hornets. He had 23 points. Backup guard Matthew Dellavedova was inactive with a sore left hamstring. Cleveland won the first meeting 89-77 in Boston on Dec. 15. The Celtics led by six at halftime but had only 31 second-half points.

Key trends: The Celtics are 1-4 ATS in the past five meetings. The under is 4-0 in the previous four.

Early lean: Cavs and under.

Grizzlies at Knicks (+3, 195.5)

Memphis won a fourth consecutive Monday, 110-95 in New Orleans. Zach Randolph had 22 points and 12 rebounds. Jeff Green had 24 points for Memphis, which closed the game on a 26-9 run. Grizz forward Matt Barnes was out with a minor hamstring injury. New York was in Detroit on Thursday. Memphis won at home vs. the Knicks 103-95 on Jan. 16. Marc Gasol scored 37 points while setting career highs for field goal makes (15) and attempts (29). It was Memphis' fifth straight win in the series. Carmelo Anthony was out.

Key trends: The Grizzlies are 4-1 ATS in the past five meetings. The over is 4-1 in the past five in New York.

Early lean: Grizzlies and over.

Bulls at Nuggets (TBA)

Chicago ended a two-game skid with a five-point victory in Sacramento on Wednesday despite playing without leading scorer Jimmy Butler. He had a sore knee, but it's not serious. Seldom-used E'Twaun Moore scored a career-high 24 points while starting in place of Butler. Derrick Rose had 21 points and nine assists. Denver lost 85-81 at Utah on Wednesday. Nikola Jokic played through a shoulder strain but had only eight points and six rebounds. Chicago won at home vs. Denver 99-90 on Dec. 2. But the Nuggets have won eight straight at home in the series.

Key trends: The Bulls are 1-7 ATS in the past eight in Denver. The over is 6-2 in the past eight meetings overall.

Early lean: Wait on Butler.

Bucks at Jazz (-7, 194)

Milwaukee dropped a fourth straight Tuesday, 107-95 in Portland. Khris Middleton had 21 points and eight rebounds for the Bucks. This concludes a three-game trip out West for them. Utah won a fourth in a row on Wednesday, 85-81 over Denver. The Jazz are 10-0 when holding opponents under 90 points. This concludes a six-game homestand. First meeting of season. Utah has won 13 in a row at home vs. the Bucks.

Key trends: The home team is 13-3 ATS in the past 16 meetings. The under is 4-0 in the past four in Utah.

Early lean: Under, under, under!

Spurs at Mavericks (+7, 199.5)

Second ESPN game. San Antonio won its second straight on Wednesday, 110-97 over New Orleans to stay unbeaten at home. LaMarcus Aldridge had a season-high 36 points. Tim Duncan missed his fifth straight game with a sore right knee and isn't expected here. Neither likely is Manu Ginobili, who left Wednesday's game with a groin injury. Dallas lost a second straight Wednesday, 93-90 at home to Miami. The Mavs played without point guard Deron Williams, and he's not going to play here. San Antonio is 2-0 vs. Dallas this season, but those were both at home. The Spurs have dropped their past two in Dallas.

Key trends: The Spurs are 1-4 ATS in the past five meetings in Dallas. The under is 6-0 in the past six meetings overall.

Early lean: Mavericks and under.

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